Saribeegee

We will be flying into Liberia and want to enjoy the many sites. Where can we stay on a beach that is relatively mild and calm for a 6 and 8 yr. old. I am looking for a a/e hotel where I can get a Junior Suite. They cannot sleep in one double bed. Two connecting rooms would be OK as well - but I don't want to pay a lot of money. Is it possible to find this type accomodation in a nice, clean hotel for about $125 a night and which town is most centrally located? I am also interested in a place where there is more than one restaurant to go to since we would be staying for one week. Thanks for all your help.

meliss35

I just got back from Playa Hermosa. It is a very calm beach. It is great for kids. We stayed at Hotel El Velero. It was inexpensive. We paid $69 per night for one room with 2 double beds. It is right on the beach. The grounds of the hotel is very nice. It has a small pool. The rooms were clean but needs updating. It is a great deal for the price and the fact that is on the beach. The hotel has a restaurant and there are at least 2 other restaurants. One is the Monkey bar and the other is Gingers. We only ate at the Monkey bar. Also it is only 20 minutes from Liberia to Playa Hermosa.

shillmac

We too like the Playa Hermosa area. We are familiar with El Velero and think it would a good place to stay, as Meliss35 stated, becaue of its great location on the beach. And the beach is excellent for swimming. We stayed at Villas del Sueno--not on the beach, but I believe they do have Junior Suites. You might want to check them out. About $125 per night. Also nearby is Playa Panama if you want to explore a little.

We didn't eat at Monkey Bar (intended to, but didn't get around to it), but LOVED Ginger's. It is a bocas bar and has excellent menu selections. We enjoyed ordering 6 or 7 things and sampling them. All were excellent.

From Sardinal (near Playa Hermosa) you can take a road called Monkey Trail (Congo Trail--takes about 30-45 min) through the country to Playa Potrero and Playa Flamingo, a very nice area. Playa Penca near Potrero is a very nice beach as is Flamingo. Flamingo tends to have more wave action, and there are a few rocks out there, but I wouldn't say it was unsafe necessarily. Gorgeous beach. You can get to these areas on the highway, but it will take you longer, and the country road was actually in much better condition.

Near Playa Flamingo (where there are several good restaurants) is Playa Brasilito, with also a lot of very good restaurants. One of our favorites, right on the beach, is Camaron Dorado. And of course, about 30 min. further south from Flamingo is Tamarindo--very busy place, lots of tourists, but an abundance of good places to eat.

One of the advantages to staying near Liberia at Playa Hermosa (or even Playa Ocotal near Playas del Coco) is the proximity to Rincon de la Vieja Parque Nacional. Your kids would enjoy the ziplines (as would you!), the mud baths (as would you!), perhaps the water slide (quite a thrill) and horseback riding perhaps. Good hiking trails as well. Have fun!

Saribeegee

Thank you so much for your information. Is it possible to get to Arenal area and back in a day trip with the kids?

randyf25

I don't think Arenal is a day trip from any of those locations. I could be wrong but I know I'm not even going to try Monteverde from Potrero (where I will be tomorrow!).

I can let you know how things go at Potrero. My understanding is that it is very secluded and Bahia Del Sol is a very small hotel. It's near the larger Playa Flamingo so you have the option of heading over there.

I'm bringing my laptop (well, I need to for photography purposes). The hotel claims to have wireless Internet so I may post some items up while I am there. MAYBE.. hehe. If not I will when i get back on the 30th.

shillmac

Have fun, Randy, and keep us posted. Nice area you'll be enjoying!

Arenal is about 4 hours from Liberia (or perhaps a little less, depending). Too far for the day.